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Last evening, during a 4.5 hour Council meeting (6.5 hours if you factor in the Caucus meetings that started two hours prior), a $1.04 billion budget was passed for fiscal year 2021-2022.
A huge THANK YOU goes to budget Chairman Councilman Bill Hollander and Vice Chairman Councilman Kevin Kramer. Together, they worked tirelessly to guarantee a fair and bi-partisan budget process. Also, hats off to the entire Budget Committee (on which I serve). We, too, worked many hours combing over the budget, sitting through hearings and attending budget town hall meetings for constituent input. It was an onerous process, but well worth the time spent discussing every line item, considering everyone's opinions, haggling over every detail and almost unanimously agreeing to a final draft.
The budget was almost unanimously agreed upon. Only one Councilmember voted "No" on both the operating and capital budgets. Who was it --- Yours truly --- District 7 Councilwoman Paula McCraney --- ME!
Before I tell you why I voted against the budget, let me share with you some good highlights about the budget:
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Increased investment in Violence Prevention: 1) $550,000 for Group Violence Intervention (GVI), a program approach that leverages an intentional collaboration among law enforcement, social service providers and community members, who collectively co-sign and deliver an anti-violence message, 2) $600,000 for a new intervention program called National Network for Safe Communities' Truth and Transformation, designed to improve relationships between Louisville Metro Police and the larger community, 3) $500,000 for Reimage, a collaboration with KentuckianaWorks that should help break the cycle of incarceration and recidivism by connecting justice-involved youth to education, training and careers in key fields such as IT, manufacturing, construction and more.
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Affordable Housing: $10 million in the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and $3 million in down payment assistance.
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Metro Corrections Department: $350,000 to reimburse lost revenue for inmate telephone calls
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Paving and Sidewalk Repairs: Over $55 million in paving and sidewalk repairs, and funds to expand efforts like the Clean Collaborative, which is helping revitalize city roadways and neighborhoods, along with graffiti removal and the upkeep of vacant lots.
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Reduced New Debt: Louisville Metro Government new debt was reduced by at least $10.125 million.
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Building Demolition: Dilapidated Fiscal Court Building and Louisville Metro Police Department Headquarters will be demolished; current occupants to be relocated.
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Neighborhood Place: An eastern Jefferson County Neighborhood Place will be re-opened to replace the one closed approximately two years ago.
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Libraries (New and Renovated): $3 million for three of them! One in Fern Creek, one in Parkland, and one in Portland.
I voted against the budget because it's more of the same. Year after year we find ourselves doling out dollars to various agencies, only to receive the same old thing --- patchwork, band-aids and consistency. To date, I have not witnessed any agency that has met its mission of eradicating poverty, mental illness, homelessness, hunger, etc. When you simply throw money at something, but not take the time to evaluate the root causes of an issue and create a strategy to solve the problem, you will always remain the same and produce the same results. I believe these agencies have a heart for service, I'm just not convinced they are ready to move from complacency to completion.
I wanted to see us pool budget dollars together and do something big and BOLD, such as locate some property near the downtown area to build a multi-level facility to house homeless individuals while they, within the same building, receive wrap-around services such as drug and alcohol counseling and detoxing, mental illness evaluations and assistance, job training, home economics, etc. The goal is to set a pre-determined time for individuals to rotate through the various programs and eventually be integrated back into society with a job in tow. As it stands today, and every year, various agencies meet the homeless residents where they are - mostly downtown under the interstate ramps. They feed them, give them pillows and blankets, etc. But, nothing is being done to help this population on a long-term basis; they still live outdoors on the streets.
I also do not believe we invested enough in the Affordable Housing Trust Fund or any other entity that has a mission to build affordable housing. I would like to see our entire city equipped with broadband for access to the Internet, and I would like to see our police officers receive pay that is well above the national average. Also, as you can see from the list above of the things that were funded in the budget, a lot of new programs are being established to help mitigate crime. While I am not against these programs - in fact, I am not familiar enough with them to support or not support them, I am wholeheartedly in support of LMPD and fighting crime. As previously stated, I want them to be paid well, I want the bad cops off the force, I want them to have the necessary budget that will give them all the tools they need to be effective in reducing homicides and catching up on investigations, and I want them to revert to community policing to get to know citizens in various divisions. Their presence alone can deter crime.
I could go on and on about this budget, but will reserve the rest of my opinion for an update in about six months. I issued a challenge to every entity and department of Louisville Metro that received funding. I begged them to "Prove me wrong!" I want success through our budget. I am a bit skeptical because given the amount of money we were working with, we failed to identify one or two major projects that could have transformed our city into a world class community for others to emulate. We'll see. I'm hoping for the very best, and I will be watching.
I do not want to sit before the Budget Committee next year and say, "I told you so." I wouldn't do that anyway...I'm not that girl.
Detailed Summary of the Proposal
A Development Plan was approved by Planning & Design Services on 6/3/21 that will allow the demolition of the existing Arby's restaurant and the construction of a First Watch restaurant in its place. In order to serve alcoholic beverages on the outdoor patio areas connected to the proposed restaurant a Conditional Use Permit is required.
Webex Meeting: July 8, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.
UPDATED NOTICES WERE MAILED
If you are unable to attend the meeting and have comments or questions or if you would like to have the meeting link emailed directly to you please contact Mike Hill, Land Planning/Civil Engineer Consultant.
Mike Hill, AICP (502) 426-9374
hill@ldd-inc.com
Return-to-Work Incentive
Gov. Beshear announced a new incentive plan today to pay as many as 15,000 Kentuckians on unemployment insurance a one-time $1,500 bonus to rejoin the workforce by July 30.
The Governor set aside $22.5 million in CARES Act funds to pay for the program to incentivize more people to leave unemployment insurance and begin filling job vacancies throughout the commonwealth to further ignite an economy that is beginning to lift off as Kentucky emerges from the pandemic with weekly job announcements and positive economic news. To learn more, see the full release. For full qualifying criteria, visit Team Kentucky’s Return-to-Work Incentive website.
State Seeks Input from Broadband Providers
Today, the Governor also called upon broadband providers to submit ideas, suggestions and comments as the state develops the process for distributing $300 million in funding to expand internet access to unserved communities across the commonwealth.
Through a Request for Information (RFI), the state is soliciting input from broadband networks owned, operated or affiliated with local governments, nonprofits and cooperatives, as well as private providers with a focus on serving entire communities. The RFI will remain open until July 12, 2021, and may be found at on the state’s vendor self-service portal.
Find COVID-19 Vaccines Near you
Please note that a drivers license, social security card nor passport are required to receive a vaccination. We will need your name and birthdate only. If you have insurance, please bring your insurance card but it is not required in order to be vaccinated.
CLICK HERE to view a comprehensive list of locations that carry COVID-19 vaccines
Get $25
Walgreens Cash
rewards...
...when you get a COVID-19 vaccine. Valid 6/22–6/26.
Restrictions apply.* Walk-ins welcome.
myWalgreens enrollment not required to redeem.
To schedule an appointment by phone, call your local pharmacy or 1-800-WALGREENS ( 1-800-925-4733).
"I would encourage anyone who is unvaccinated to practice the same prevention measures you were practicing in the winter: wear a mask when you are around others and you don't know if they've been vaccinated; wash your hands thoroughly and often; social distance as much as possible and get tested regularly, especially if you aren't wearing a mask regularly or if you have any symptoms." --Dr. Sarah Moyer, Louisville's Chief Health Strategist, Louisville Metro Department of Health and Wellness
Here are the key COVID-19 data metrics for the week of June 20, 2021:
- There were 172 new cases over the previous week
- 3.2 cases per 100,000 population
- Majority of cases, hospitalizations and deaths are among people unvaccinated
To view this week's COVID briefing with public health officials CLICK HERE. For COVID-19 testing sites CLICK HERE.
CLICK HERE TO TAKE SURVEY: Quality of Life Survey for People over Age 50 in Louisville (surveymonkey.com)
This survey will take you about 5 minutes or less. Thank you for taking a few moments to share your experiences with the Center for Health Equity and the AARP in Louisville, KY. Your answers will not be connected to you. This information will be used to learn more about the experiences of people in Louisville who are over the age of 50.
Completing this survey will enter participants aged 50 and above into a drawing for a gift certificate to the Table Cafe in the Portland neighborhood. Be sure to provide your name and contact information at the end of the survey if you want to be entered into the drawing. If you have questions about this survey, please contact Lacey McNary, MSW at 502-419-7335.
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Thinking about starting college or going back to complete a degree? Jefferson Community and Technical College wants to help NEW students ages 25 or older jump-start their education and COVER TUITION for the upcoming Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 semesters. That’s up to 30 credit hours of FREE TUITION!
Interested students must apply to the College and enroll in at least six credit hours. Those eligible will automatically be awarded, no scholarship application is required!
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Learn More!
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Not all dinosaurs are gone and buried underground, some are roaring and hungry at your Louisville Zoo! This summer the Louisville Zoo has partnered with DinoDon Inc., the world’s leading manufacturer of scientifically accurate full-sized robotic dinosaurs. Sponsored by Great Clips; this new attraction is FREE with your Zoo admission! Come by to see 19 moving, breathing, roaring robotic dinosaurs who measure up to 40 ft. long. This event has been 200 million years in the making, so don’t miss out!
Purchase Zoo tickets today at louisvillezoo.org/tickets. For information about “Dino Quest” visit LouisvilleZoo.org/dino.
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Keep your cleaning supplies neat with a tension rod.
Dryer sheets will remove buildup from glass.
Use a lemon to get rid of water stains.
Use salt to clean cast iron skillets.
Hacks to live by!
Metro Louisville now has an interactive map that will allow you to see what is happening in your neighborhood as well as others across the city. The map updates daily and if you choose you can receive alerts for your area by subscribing using the red receive alerts button on the page. Click here to try it out: Interactive Map to Track Crime.
Click here to read the Executive Order issued by
Governor Beshear regarding face covering.
To view the Governors most recent updates on click here: https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=641
What: Kentucky Shakespeare Festival
When: June 16-July 31, 2021
Nightly Schedule:
6:00 p.m. Food Trucks
7:00 p.m. Kids’ Globe free interactive youth activities, Will’s Gift Shop, & Will’s Tavern
8:00 p.m. performance
Where: Central Park, C. Douglas Ramey Amphitheater
For a full calendar of performances click here
In August 2016 Louisville Metro Emergency Services teamed up with Bullitt County, Oldham County, and Washington County to create a regional emergency notification system – Louisville Emergency Notification System (LENSAlert). Its enhanced capabilities include using all communications modes to send alerts – mobile phones, landlines, email, text, social media, IPAWS-OPEN. Take another step in being prepared for disasters and sign up for LENSAlert today.
The Bats have a six-game home stand this week against Indianapolis. Games are back to 100% capacity starting June 22nd.
For a full schedule click here
In addition to receiving notifications, individuals can create a Safety Profile for themselves and their household that can include any information they want 9-1-1 and first responders to have in the event of an emergency. When individuals make an emergency call, their Safety Profile is automatically displayed to the 9-1-1 call taker, allowing them to send the right responders to the right location with the right information. Information about medical history, allergies to medication, number of residents in a home and even a picture of the family dog can all be added to a Safety Profile.
Click Here for Frequently Asked Questions About Smart911
Here are the key COVID-19 data metrics for Louisville/Jefferson County the week of May 10, 2021:
- There were 666 new cases over the previous week, 1 new death reported
- Hospitalization data:
- 82 patients currently hospitalized have COVID-19, compared to 114 last week
- 28 patients in ICU with COVID-19 as of May 11, compared to 23 the week prior
- 17 COVID-19 patients on ventilators as of May 11, compared to 16 last week
- 689,010 total vaccine doses given in Metro Louisville since December
- 46.8% of Louisville residents have received at least one dose of vaccine and 37.3% have completed the vaccine series
Dr. Sarah Moyer, Louisville’s Chief Health Strategist, said the majority of cases identified last week reported attending events such as weddings, funerals, family and friend gatherings, sporting events, proms, musical performances and travel.
“This is a really good reminder that if you’re not fully vaccinated yet, to please get tested before attending any of these events or traveling,” Dr. Moyer said.
Are you looking for a public place to exchange items you've sold online? Do you share custody of a child and are looking for somewhere to exchange custody?
The Louisville Metro Police Department is providing MetroSWAP Zones outside of some Division offices.
There is 24 hour video surveillance. LMPD recommends:
- Agree to meet the person ONLY at a MetroSWAP station.
- Meet only during daylight hours.
- Tell someone you trust where you are meeting and at what time.
- Meet in the parking lot at two designate areas of each location.
- Make the interaction brief and to the point.
MetroSWAP Zones are at:
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Get directly involved in making Louisville a more litter-free community through the Report-A-Litterer program aimed at motorists who throw fast-food wrappers, cigarette butts, soda bottles or any type of litter out their car window.
Report the license plate number to 311 to be verified (including a description of the vehicle) through the County Clerk's Office. The owner of the vehicle will receive a letter saying that someone reported seeing litter being thrown from their vehicle, and reminding the owner that littering is punishable by a fine of up to $500 and/or up to a year in jail. An automobile litter bag also will accompany each letter.
Click here to report Litterers.
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Visit http://www.louisvilleky.gov/MetroPolice/Patrol+Divisions/ to sign up to receive the LMPD’s new crime alert update for your neighborhood. Simply select your LMPD division number and click "Subscribe to Crime Alerts by Beat" to begin receiving the update.
- Division 5, please call dispatch at 502-574-7111
- Division 8, please call dispatch at 502-574-2111
Fifth Division - This division covers the area including the Highlands, Clifton and Cherokee and Seneca Parks.
Eighth Division - This division covers the area including Middletown, Lyndon, Oxmoor and the Ford Truck Plant.
Interactive Crime Mapping
You can now map crime in Louisville using the interactive mapping tool.
NOTICE: All Metro Council meetings are carried live on Metro TV, Spectrum Cable Channel 184 and U-verse Channel 99.
The meetings are also available online at the Metro Council home page at http://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro-council/metro-council-clerk. (Click here and click on the “Watch Meetings Online” button.)
OR access prior or current meetings here:
http://louisville.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2.
TO ACCESS MEETINGS THROUGH FACEBOOK: CLICK HERE
Agendas for these meetings can be viewed using the following link:
http://louisville.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2
Click Here to: View All Agencies
Click Here to Visit Website for Laws, State Legislators, Watch Bills, etc
Click here for more info.
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